# Query Problems

**URL:** <https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113>\
**Category:** AeroAPI\
**Created:** [November 16, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113 "2017-11-16T14:32:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/1 "2017-11-16T14:32:55Z")

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I am posting this issue here because I have been asked to do so by FLightAware staff. I don’t believe it belongs here, because it is not of general public interest. Still, in the absence of other support options, here goes …

I have been using your FlightXML API successfully for a few days until it stopped working a few hours ago. I am not receiving any more results and no error messages. I am on the Silver Plan. I don’t believe that I have exceeded my allocated 20,000 queries, but I also have found no way of checking my actual query count.

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**Author:** ![bovineone](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/bovineone/32/117631_2.png) [@bovineone](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/bovineone)\
**Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/2 "2017-11-16T18:13:57Z")

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Your account has exceeded 20k queries, according to our records. You should be able to see your current status at [https://flightaware.com/commercial/flightxml/billing/](https://flightaware.com/commercial/flightxml/billing/)

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**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 5:11am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/3 "2017-11-17T05:11:54Z")

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Hallo,

Thanks for your note, but your billing records appear to be incorrect. I  
query “AirportBoards” maximum once per minute, yet your system shows in  
excess of 600 queries per hour, unless I interpret your “Count” value  
incorrectly. Similarly, I query “AirlineFlightSchedules” twice per hour,  
yet your data sometimes shows 20 queries per hour, other times even 40  
queries per hour. This is crazy stuff and unacceptable. Please investigate  
urgently.

My timed queries are still happening, so you can check against those.

Best Regards,

Dietmar Frey  
Phone +27 21 200 7491  
Mobile +27 82 551 9300

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/4 "2017-11-18T02:44:57Z")

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What does your query look like?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 5:03am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/5 "2017-11-18T05:03:35Z")

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[https://flightxml.flightaware.com/json/FlightXML3/AirportBoards?howMany=200&airport\_code=FACT](https://flightxml.flightaware.com/json/FlightXML3/AirportBoards?howMany=200&airport_code=FACT)

Dietmar Frey  
Phone +27 21 200 7491  
Mobile +27 82 551 9300

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [November 18, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/6 "2017-11-18T17:15:27Z")

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15 results is equal to 1 query. If you adjusted you “howMany” to 200, that would count as 14 queries for each request. Any fractions of a query are rounded up.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 6:04am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/7 "2017-11-19T06:04:46Z")

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Thanks for the explanation. The answer is of course completely  
unacceptable, particularly since this fact is described nowhere before a  
subscription decision is made. Please forward to sales with a request to  
cancel my subscription and execute a refund.

Dietmar Frey  
Phone +27 21 200 7491  
Mobile +27 82 551 9300

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pribeirojit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/pribeirojit/32/36295_2.png) [@pribeirojit](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/pribeirojit)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2017, 10:11am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/8 "2017-11-19T10:11:02Z")

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As a (almost) client of Flightaware for FlightXml service, Im worried about this too. You (Flightaware) should work on make things more transparente and clear for your clients (already ones, recent and future). You have to give us tools, information clear to not let give space to any suspicions on your services.  
Here is a post of mine regarding the delayed information displayed regarding requests history made to your services, and Im still waiting response.

> [@FlightXML Billing airplane Recent Activity. Delayed data](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/flightxml-billing-recent-activity-delayed-data/28155):
>
> Hello, In FlightXML Billing airplane Recent Activity page, the records appear with a delay of more than 2 hours of the real request. Thats not good since we can’t see the requests log in real time, not even close. That would be nice for us (I guess every client) to controll better the requests, how many used, counted, if cache mechanism implemented is working as expected, for example. Can or will you do something to improve this? Thanks.

Please consider.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pribeirojit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/pribeirojit/32/36295_2.png) [@pribeirojit](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/pribeirojit)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/9 "2017-12-13T23:43:33Z")

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Do you have a word on this?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 12:01am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/10 "2017-12-14T00:01:13Z")

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A word on what? The topic or the issue you cross posted?

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**Author:** ![pribeirojit](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/pribeirojit/32/36295_2.png) [@pribeirojit](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/pribeirojit)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/11 "2017-12-14T00:47:56Z")

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Sorry, a word about this topic. @dietmar concerns, are mine too as I’ve expressed. Transparence, not giving space for doubts is very important for clients and for your credibility.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 4:24am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/12 "2017-12-14T04:24:51Z")

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I recognize the need for everything that you mention. And, although I dont want to use this as an excuse, FlightXML 3 is documented as being a beta product and not complete. I agree that, even as a beta product, there is no excuse for not having the complete pricing documented, however, there have been other projects that have required our attention before we were able to complete additional work on FlightXML3. We are working to to provide updated information on the FlightXML 3 page.

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**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 8:20am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/13 "2017-12-14T08:20:51Z")

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What I find truly disgusting is how the issue has been handled since. I am  
now told that I can’t even get a refund. I have been screwed out of USD 100  
and I must just accept it? And you still want me to accept FlightAware as a  
legit operation? With blatant disregard for genuine customer concerns?  
Please !!!

Dietmar Frey  
Phone +27 21 200 7491  
Mobile +27 82 551 9300

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/14 "2017-12-14T19:56:11Z")

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You are requesting a refund for a product that you have fully used?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [December 15, 2017, 5:39am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/15 "2017-12-15T05:39:22Z")

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No, I am requesting a refund for a product that I wasn’t able to fully use,  
because it didn’t even survive the testing period and it didn’t function as  
advertised. The fact that you are counting each group of 15 result records  
as a separate query was not mentioned anywhere and hence you have mislead  
me. If I had known that, I would never have signed up even for a trial. You  
guys are truly something else. Why don’t you look at my request data and  
tell me that this represents “full use”. Your attitude sucks and your  
practices should be exposed to a wider community. It seems that I am not  
the only one who has “not read” or “misunderstood” your pricing details.  
For the sake of USD 100 you are quite happy to have an entirely  
dissatisfied customer spread the bad news when the core problem is quite  
clearly due to your own omission (deliberate or otherwise) of pertinent  
pricing details? What I find even more amazing is that this relatively  
small problem has now been blown up through the exposure of your attitude  
towards your customers. I am sure there are a number of books that list  
scenarios like this as efficient case studies of what NOT to do. And when  
ultimately your business has failed, you wonder why?

Dietmar Frey  
Phone +27 21 200 7491  
Mobile +27 82 551 9300

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [December 18, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/16 "2017-12-18T14:16:24Z")

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I have put in a request for a refund in the amount of USD 99. I recognize that it was not expressly dictated on the page and this has been documented in the forums, however, there are several posts in the discussion forum referencing how the queries are counted, and I have created a ticket to have how the queries are counted more expressly defined for FlightXML 3 Beta. Additionally, it appears you were testing how the API functioned from 11 Nov and you would have been able to see your usage to determine how queries were counted. I noticed that there were several times you increased your ‘HowMany’ to continually increase the number of results. Additionally, if you had questions regarding how pricing was determined, we post our support phone number, have a chat system, have email support, as well as respond to questions in the discussion forum in a timely manner. If you do not want caps on queries, you are welcome to use the feature complete FlightXML 2, which is charged on a per query basis and also **counts 1 query per 15 results**.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 8:18am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/17 "2018-01-12T08:18:25Z")

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Hallo,

After all the previous correspondence and your assurance that you had  
canceled my subscription, you have just billed me again!!! Simply  
disgusting.  
I expect an immediate refund and the assuurance once more that my  
subscriptions is canceled!

WHEN ARE YOU FINALLY GOING TO STOP YOUR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY?

Dietmar Frey  
Phone +27 21 200 7491  
Mobile +27 82 551 9300

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2018, 6:00pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/18 "2018-01-12T18:00:49Z")

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I have put in a request for the refund and done 2 things. Disabled the account and moved you to a starter account that is of no charge.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dietmar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/dietmar/32/3669_2.png) [@dietmar](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/dietmar)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2018, 8:38am UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/19 "2018-01-13T08:38:40Z")

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That’s right, why apologise or explain? I didn’t ask for my account to be  
disabled, just the API subscription to be stopped. But you obviously have  
to need for my datafeed anymore, so I have shut that down as well. Is your  
senior management aware of the level of service I have received?

Dietmar Frey  
Phone +27 21 200 7491  
Mobile +27 82 551 9300

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cbw](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/discussions.flightaware.com/cbw/32/117000_2.png) [@cbw](https://discussions.flightaware.com/u/cbw)\
**Post date:** [January 15, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://discussions.flightaware.com/t/query-problems/28113/20 "2018-01-15T22:03:40Z")

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I did just as you asked. I disabled the FlightXML account that was being charged and put you on a free FlightXML account. I would be interested to receive your feedback on the level of service provided. From my interactions, I addressed everything you mentioned and how we were working to correct some short comings in the documentation for FlightXML 3 Beta. We refunded any charges that you deemed were erroneous in a timely manner. Since these interactions, we have released new information about FlightXML 3 Beta that can be found at the following link. [https://flightaware.com/commercial/flightxml/v3/content.rvt](https://flightaware.com/commercial/flightxml/v3/content.rvt).

Additionally, we value all of our feeders (by continually offering new and exciting features to them, including Enterprise accounts, in depth stats, free API queries, etc.) and I did not disable any of your user account info.
